To promote gender equality in innovation and intellectual property, the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) has introduced a new initiative, i.e. the Fast-Track Patent Examination Program for Female Inventors (pilot AEP). Starting July 1, 2025, this one-year program will help female inventors get their patents examined faster, making it easier and quicker to secure patent rights.

Background and Inspiration

The initiative aligns with the global “La Serena Roadmap” spirit, which focuses on increasing women’s participation in various sectors, including science, technology, and innovation. By implementing this female-focused fast-track program, TIPO is showing its support for gender equality in the intellectual property world.

Eligibility Criteria

The program has specific eligibility requirements designed to ensure that it truly benefits female inventors:

• Application Type: Only invention patent applications are eligible
• Applicant Status: All applicants must be natural persons (individuals)
• Female Involvement: At least one applicant must be female, and this female applicant must also be listed as an inventor or co-inventor
• Application Submission: The fast-track application must be filed by the female applicant herself
• Application Timing: Applications for fast-track examination must be submitted electronically after receiving TIPO’s notification of substantive examination but before the first office action is issued

It’s important to note that applications involving corporate entities, educational institutions, or business organizations as co-applicants are not eligible, even if a female inventor is included. This restriction ensures that the program’s resources remain focused on supporting individual female inventors rather than being diverted to institutional applications.

Program Capacity and Limitations

As this is a pilot initiative, TIPO has established the following limitations:

• Total Capacity: A maximum of 50 applications will be accepted during the one-year trial period
• Monthly Limits: 5 applications per month for the first two months, followed by 4 applications per month thereafter
• Individual Quota: Each eligible female applicant is limited to 5 applications during the trial period

If the monthly quota is reached, applicants will need to reapply in the following month. The electronic application system (E-SET) will automatically track the number of applications submitted each month and notify applicants when the limit has been reached.

Application Process and Timeline

The process is designed to be straightforward:

• Eligible female inventors submit their applications through TIPO’s electronic filing system (E-SET) only—paper applications are not accepted
• In the electronic application form, applicants must select “For female-applied invention patent cases” as the reason for accelerated examination
• Taiwanese citizens must provide their full Chinese name and national ID number in the “Eligible Female Applicant” field
• Foreign applicants must provide their English name and include supporting documentation proving their female identity (such as passport copies)
• Once accepted, applications enter the expedited review process with no additional notification
• TIPO aims to issue the first office action or approval decision within 6 months of the fast-track application date

Important Notes from TIPO’s FAQ

Based on TIPO’s official FAQ, here are some important clarifications:

• No Additional Fees: Unlike many other expedited examination pathways, this program does not require payment of additional fees
• Joint Applications: Applications with both male and female natural persons as co-applicants are eligible, as long as the female applicant is also an inventor and she submits the fast-track request
• Electronic Filing Only: To streamline the process and reduce notification time, only electronically submitted applications will be considered
• Timing Restrictions: The fast-track request cannot be filed simultaneously with the substantive examination request—applicants must wait until they receive TIPO’s notification that substantive examination will begin
• Application Count: The limit of 5 applications per female applicant is calculated based on the “Eligible Female Applicant” named in the electronic application form, meaning different female applicants can each apply for up to 5 cases
• Notification Process: TIPO will not send a separate notification if an application meets the requirements for fast-track examination—applicants will simply receive an office action or approval notice within 6 months. Only applications that do not meet the requirements will receive a notification that they will follow the standard examination process

Program Benefits

This innovative program offers several advantages:

• Accelerated Timeline: Significantly faster patent examination compared to the standard process
• No Additional Fees: The service is provided at no extra cost to female applicants
• Increased Visibility: Helps highlight and recognize women’s contributions to technological innovation
• Encouragement for Innovation: Incentivizes more women to pursue patent protection for their inventions

The newly launched pilot AEP offers a valuable, cost-free opportunity to expedite patent prosecution for eligible female inventors. We recommend reviewing your clients’ portfolios to identify any pending or upcoming applications that may benefit from this fast-track pathway.

Through this female-focused acceleration program, TIPO aims to reduce examination time, address gender imbalance in patent filings, and raise the visibility of women in Taiwan’s intellectual property landscape. By limiting eligibility to individual applicants and implementing a quota system, the program ensures resources are directed toward genuine female innovators rather than organizations, thereby maximizing its positive impact and promoting broader participation.